Fusible door holding device

ABSTRACT

A door hold open device for a fire door includes a first member having a sleeve portion and a second member having a shank portion telescoped in the sleeve. The first member has an eye for connection to the door or building frame and the second member has a hooked extremity for connecting to the door or building frame. Upstanding pegs or pins on the sleeve and rod portion are secured together by a low temperature fusible link which releases upon melting of the link to afford separation of the telescoped members and release of the fire door to a closed position.

United States Patent [191 Casey et al.

[ July 10, 1973 FUSIBLE DOOR HOLDING DEVICE [76] Inventors: Robert W. Casey; Timothy R. Casey, both of 2362 N. 49 St., Milwaukee, Wis. 53210 221 Filed: Sept. 5, 1972 211 Appl. 190.; 286,485

832,004 9/l906 Arnold 47/7 Primary Examiner-Robert L. Wolfe Attorney-Henry C. Fuller, .lr.

[ 5 7 ABSTRACT A door hold open device for a fire door includes a first member having a sleeve portion and a second member having a shank portion telescoped in the sleeve. The first member has an eye for connection to the door or building frame and the second member has a hooked extremity for connecting to the door or building frame. Upstanding pegs or pins on the sleeve and rod portion are secured together by a low temperature fusible link which releases upon melting of the link to afford separation of the telescoped members and release of the tire door to a closed position.

5 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures FUSIBLE DOOR HOLDING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF INVENTION Fire doors for various industrial and commerical buildings are required to be maintained in a closed position at all times. Sometimes it is desirable to temporarily hold open fire doors movement of furniture, etc. It is not desirable to use a conventional hook and eye catch to hold the fire door open because of the possibility that someone may neglect to disconnect the hook. Fire doors are typically provided with a counter weight device or other apparatus to maintain the door in a closed position.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION The invention provides a device for holding open a fire door which will release the fire door from an open position to a closed position when a fusible link melts as a result of fire or extreme heat.

The door hold open device includes one member with a sleeve portion and another member with a shank which is telescopically received in the sleeve. One of the members has an eye and the other of the members has a hook to facilitate connection to both the door and building structure. Upstanding pegs on the sleeve and shank are innerconnected and retained in a connection by a fusible link which permits separation of the members when the link melts. The device of the invention provides sufficient strength and rigidity to accomplish the objective of securing the door in an open position yet easily separates to permit the door to close under the influence of a counterweight when the low temperature element in the fusible link melts.

Further objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following disclosure.

DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the door hold open device of the invention shown attached to a building wall and fire door.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view in fragmentary section of the door hold open device shown in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention which may be embodied in other specific structure. The scope of the invention is defined in the claims appended hereto.

FIG. 1 shows a fire door hinged to a building frame 12 and a counterweight assembly 14 for maintaining the door 10 in a closed position. In FIG. 1, the door hold open device 16 is shown connected between the door 10 and a building wall 18.

The hold open device 16 includes a first member 20 having a sleeve portion and an extremity in the form of an eye portion 24. A second member 26 has a shank portion 28 which is telescopically received in the sleeve portion 22. The second member 26 has a hooked extremity 30. An alternative construction could include an eye on member 28 and a hook on the member 20.

The door hold open device 16 also includes a fusible link 32 with a body in the form of a segment or length 34 of low temperature fusible material such as bismuth with connectors such as eyes 36 and 38 connected to the body 34 at the opposite ends of the body.

In accordance with the invention, means are provided for connecting the fusible link to the first and second members to retain said members in connection and afford separation of the members upon destruction of the fusible link by fire or extreme heat. In the disclosed construction, the means includes upstanding pegs 40 and 42, with peg 40 being connected to the sleeve portion 22 and peg 42 connected to the shank portion 28. The pegs 40 and 42 may be welded, brazed or otherwise secured to the members. The pegs can be provided with out-turned ends 44 and46 to securely retain the eyes 36 and 38 of the fusible link 32.

The sleeve portion 22 is also desirably provided with an axial slot 48 extending inwardly from the sleeve end 50 to receive the peg 42 and retain the peg 42 in alignment with the peg 40. The slot 48 and peg 42 also prevent relative rotation of the first and second members 20 and 26.

The eye 24 is shown connected to a screw eye 56 which is embedded in the door 10. The hook 30 is shown engaged with an eye 58 embedded in the building wall 18. In FIG. 1, the fusible link 16 is shown retaining the door in an open position against the action of the counterweight assembly 14. When the fusible link 34 melts, the first and second members 20 and 26 will separate and release the door 10 which will close under action of the counterweight assembly 14.

What is claimed is:

l. A door hold open device comprising a first member having a sleeve portion, a second member having a shank portion telescopically received in said sleeve portion, said members having oppositely extending ends, means on said ends for detachably securing said device between a door and a building structure, a low temperature fusible link, and means for connecting said link to said first and second members to retain said members in connection and afford separation of said members upon destruction of said fusible link.

2. A device in accordance with claim I wherein said means for connecting said link to said first and second members comprises upstanding spaced pegs on each of said members, and said fusible link having terminal portions connected to said pegs.

3. A device in accordance with claim 1 wherein one of said first and second members has a hook portion at an end and the other of said first and second members has an end with an eye portion.

4. A device in accordance with claim 2 wherein said fusible link has terminal eye portions connected to said upstanding pegs with a fusible body portion connecting the eye portions.

5. A device in accordance with claim 2 wherein said sleeve portion has an axial slot for receiving said peg on said shank to retain said pegs in alignment parallel to the longitudinal axis of said members and retain said members against relative rotation.

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1. A door hold open device comprising a first member having a sleeve portion, a second member having a shank portion telescopically received in said sleeve portion, said members having oppositely extending ends, means on said ends for detachably securing said device between a door and a building structure, a low temperature fusible link, and means for connecting said link to said first and second members to retain said members in connection and afford separation of said members upon destruction of said fusible link.
 2. A device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means for connecting said link to said first and second members comprises upstanding spaced pegs on each of said members, and said fusible link having terminal portions connected to said pegs.
 3. A device in accordance with claim 1 wherein one of said first and second members has a hook portion at an end and the other of said first and second members has an end with an eye portion.
 4. A device in accordance with claim 2 wherein said fusible link has terminal eye portions connected to said upstanding pegs with a fusible body portion connecting the eye portions.
 5. A device in accordance with claim 2 wherein said sleeve portion has an axial slot for receiving said peg on said shank to retain said pegs in alignment parallel to the longitudinal axis of said members and retain said members against relative rotation. 